The Minutes is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com
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The Minutes
Nominated for the 2022 Tony Award® for Best Play and a Pulitzer Prize Finalist for Drama.
What would you do to keep from being the villain in the history books? In the Big Cherry town council meeting, full of backstabbing, personal agendas, and pet peeves, The Minutes explores small town politics and the real-world effects of trying to rewrite history.This scathing comedy about real-world power, from the author of August: Osage County, exposes the ugliness behind some of our most closely-held American narratives while asking each of us what we would do to keep from becoming history’s losers.
Credit: Conor Horgan
TRACY LETTS is a multifaceted award-winning actor and playwright. Letts received the 2008 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for his play August: Osage County and a Tony Award for his portrayal of George in the revival of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?. He has written the screenplays of three films adapted from his own plays: BUG and Killer Joe, both directed by William Friedkin, and August: Osage County directed by John Wells.
Mr. Letts is also the author of Superior Donuts, which had its world premiere at Steppenwolf in 2008 and opened on Broadway in 2009; Man from Nebraska, which was produced at Steppenwolf in 2003 and was a finalist for a Pulitzer Prize; Killer Joe, which has been produced in Chicago, London and New York; and Bug, which has played in New York, Chicago and London.
Tracy resides in Chicago with his wife, Carrie Coon, and is an active member of the Steppenwolf Theatre Company.​
“Certain to be the single work of art that best represents, but will also survive, the Trump era.” – Variety
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“Explosive... Deftly captures the tension of patriotic grandiosity and provincial defensiveness found in city halls across the land.” – Chicago Tribune
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“Astonishing... a pitch black comedy about the current state of American politics and the ‘fake news’ elements in our national history... a blood ritual rooted in the more farcical manifestations of local government and parliamentary procedure, and along the way he has explained how some in this country have been brutally sacrificed, and why such sacrifices continue to be sanctioned.” – Chicago Sun-Times
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“The Minutes is also quite funny, silly even. (The council members re-enacting a famous Big Cherry battle is a hoot.) But the questions Letts poses – what are you willing to do, what are you willing to ignore, what are you willing to forget to preserve your ‘cocoon of comfort’? – are provocative. And perennial.” – Daily Herald
Meet the Cast
John Brownlie
(Mr. Peel)
John Brownlie (he/him) is a British, New England based actor. Graduated with Honors in Acting from Leeds University. Founder of Daft Mattress and Taipei Shorts. Recent film and stage credits include: Canon of Grimward, Swipe Right for Danger, The Form of a Tree, Murder on Scout Road, Love in an Elevator, Fireworks, Midsummer Night's Dream. John would like to thank Studio Theatre Worcester for the opportunity and his wife and family for support.
Matthew Johnson
(Mr. Breeding)
Matthew Johnson (he/him) is an Actor/Drummer from the city of Worcester. He recently worked with Studio Theatre Worcester in a stage reading of The Dog Days Are Now and he's very excited to be working with the company once again with a very talented and enthusiastic cast and crew on this production of The Minutes. His recent acting credits include Much Ado About Nothing (The Hanover Theatre Repertory) and Twelfth Night (The Hanover Theatre Repertory). Matthew would like to thank his Mom, family and friends for the endless support and encouragement and hopes everyone enjoys the show.
Lena Vani
(Ms. Matz)
Lena Vani (she/her) is a filmmaker and trained actor based in the Northeast. Lena is a graduate from the University of Massachusetts with a Bachelor of Arts in theater as well as an alum of THT Rep’s Worc@Play program. She recently worked with Studio Theatre Worcester in their staged reading of The Dog Days Are Now, and she is eager to be working with them again. Credits: Off-Broadway: Etched Glass Decanter (Theater555). Selected Regional Credits: Much Ado About Nothing (The Hanover Theatre Repertory) The Dog Days Are Now (Studio Theatre Worcester), Bull In A China Shop (The Treehouse Collective), P*ssy Sludge (Real Live Theatre), and REFUGEE (Joakim Interfest). You can also catch her this November in Concord Players production of She Kills Monsters.
Patrick French
(Mayor Superba)
Patrick French (he/him) is thrilled to be making his debut with Studio Theatre Worcester! He has been a New England-area theatre artist and comedian since 2002. His most recent credits include playing the sinister Senator Fipp in Urinetown: The Musical (Concord Players), bumbling optometrist Vinnie Di Ruzzio in Lucky Stiff (TCAN Players) and John Proctor in The Crucible (Needham Community Theatre). He got his start in improv comedy, training and performing at the Improv Asylum in Boston and later with the ImprovBoston Mainstage in Cambridge. He has also been fortunate enough to land numerous TV and film gigs along the way, including roles in Disney's "Hocus Pocus 2" and the Emmy-winning HBO miniseries "Olive Kitteridge". He lives in Westwood, MA, with his wife and two sons.
Thomas Mshooshian
(Mr. Hanratty)
Thomas Mshooshian (he/him) is based out of Central Massachusetts and is excited to perform for the first time professionally with Studio Theatre Worcester. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre from Dean College. He’s ecstatic to perform and hopes everyone enjoys the show! Thomas would also like to thank his family, friends, and his loving girlfriend Katie for always supporting him.
Michael Walker
(Mr. Oldfield)
Michael Walker (he/him) has been an actor, director and producer in professional theatre for over forty years including the Artistic Director and Producer at Foothills Theatre Co.; Executive Producer and Artistic Director at Summer Theatre at Mount Holyoke; Artistic Director at Beanpatch Theatre Co.; Executive Director of Hampshire Shakespeare Co.; and Director of Development at Greater Boston Stage Co. He is especially pleased to have acted when needed as an advisor to Studio Theatre’s Board of Directors. Mr. Oldfield will mark his first role with the company. Previously, he appeared in over a hundred roles on tour, in summer stock and resident companies in classical and modern dramas and comedies, and over a dozen musicals. Regional credits include Huntington Theatre Co., Boston Playwrights’ Theatre, Marlboro Stage Co. (VT), Ford’s Theatre (DC), Threshold Stage (NH), and Chateau De Ville Dinner Theatres. As an award-winning playwright, his dramas, mysteries and thrillers have been produced in Virginia, Ohio, Kansas, Texas, and Kentucky, as well as New York City, Boston, and West Boylston Massachusetts. Currently, Michael is writing his first novel. He holds a BA in Theatre Arts from UMass (Amherst) and an MFA in Playwriting from Brandeis University. Michael lives in Sutton with his wife, Janet, and he dedicates his best work to her, his extended family and, especially, the Walkerboys, Aaron and Geoff. He gives special thanks to Studio Theatre for this opportunity to perform in concert with this wildly talented cast and production team.
Christina Pierro Biggins
(Ms. Johnson)
Christina “Tina” Pierro-Biggins (she/her) is excited to be a part of what marks her third production with STW. She is a graduate of The American Academy of Dramatic Arts and holds a B.F.A. from Marymount Manhattan College. She studied voice at SUNY Purchase Opera Conservatory. Her most recent roles include the Witch, Into The Woods (TAM) Le Fleur, Nine (WCLOC) Bev, The Mad Ones (STW), Celeste Fielding, Into the Breeches (STW)
Aldonza, The Man of La Mancha (Calliope) and Violet, Memory of Water (WCLOC).
Scott Salley
(Mr. Assalone)
Scott Salley (he/him) is very excited to be making his STW premiere in this timely play. He works professionally on both stage and screen (ranging in size from full movie theater to phone specific works), but always prefers the theater. He has previously worked with The New Rep Theater, The Umbrella Stage Company, TCAN Players and more. Favorite prior roles include Charles in Blithe Spirit, Richard in The Lion in Winter, Mr. Wormwood in Matilda: The Musical and Gooper in Cat On a Hot Tin Roof. Scott also serves on the Board of Directors for the TCAN Players in Natick, where he can next be seen this November in Puffs, a hilarious send up of the Harry Potter series as told through the eyes of the worst house in the castle. Endless love and gratitude to his amazing wife and son for letting him do this silliness!
Kaven Matyczynski
(Mr. Carp)
Kaven Matyczynski (he/him) is a New England-based theatre artist who is excited and thankful to collaborate with Studio Theatre Worcester for the first time. Recent acting credits include: Good People (WCLOC), Drinking Habits (Stageloft Repertory Theatre), The Nerd (Bradley Playhouse), and The Shape of Things (Westfield State University).
Elijah Lidonde
(Mr. Blake)
Elijah Lidonde (he/him) is an aspiring actor from Worcester, MA. He is beyond thrilled to hit the stage with Studio Theatre Worcester for the first time. Recent acting credits include: A Few Good Men (The Milton Players), and On Our Terms which is an original play written and directed by Mary Darling. He has also worked in film and television including a role in Paramount Plus’ “Good Burger 2” as well as commercial work with Amica Insurance and Stop & Shop. This October, he will portray Troy Maxson in August Wilson’s Fences for the American Classics Repertory Company.
Cindy Bell
(Ms. Innes)
Cindy Bell (she/her) is excited to be appearing in her first Studio Theatre Worcester production, especially one that is so thought provoking and funny. Some of her favorite recent productions include The Porch (Washington Street Players), Be Here Now (Pilgrim Soul Productions), Enchanted April (TCAN Players) and Other Desert Cities (Walpole Footlighters). Recent short films include "Pumpkin Pie" and "Luke Meets Charlene at a Very Nice Bar" (ACT). Next up is Sherlock Holmes & The Case of the Jersey Lily. She would like to thank her husband for his support in her theatrical endeavors.